NCarolinian

Christians are considered citizens of another kingdom, kids of another family and residents of another world or realm - all while living in this one. There is an amazing balance act required by the Follower of Christ when he/she accepts Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior.  You have heard the expression - The Believer has to be in the world but not of the world . This truth tells of the requirement met for living out the Christian life (not being of the world) while meeting the condition for living in a temporary place (having to dwell for the time being in the world). In Matthew 22:15-22 , Jesus is approached by Pharisees with an entrapping question - "Is it right to pay the Imperial Tax to Caesar or not?" The Imperial Tax was a special tax levied on subject peoples and not the Roman citizens. Referring to the coin used for payment in those days, Jesus answered, "Whose image is this? And whose inscription?" The Pharisees replied, "Caesar's....

Throughout Scripture everyday analogies are given to communicate a spiritual truth. For example -  " They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream." (Jeremiah 17:8) "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field." (Matt. 13:24) "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough." (Matt. 13:33) "The kingdom is like a treasure hidden in a field." (Matt. 13:44) "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls." (Matt. 13:45) One of the analogies that I believe believers may want to stop and research is the analogy of us as Living Stones. However, let us first look at Jesus pictured as a rock or stone. There are many references to Christ as The Rock, The Stone or The Cornerstone. In Matthew 16:18 when Jesus was talking to the little rock or Peter, I beli...

Imagine yourself a mountain that moves. Who or what is king of the mountain? Who or what is king of you? Is it a fleeting emotion? Is it a relative, friend or thing? Imagine again, but this time picture yourself as a portable room. Who have you let in your door? Who or what are you letting in your door currently?  Ephesians 4:26-28 mentions the word "foothold" as a condition brought about by the enemy of our souls that has given him possible strategic advantage over our lives. The verse reads -  "' In your anger do not sin': Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold ."  The original word for "foothold" here is topos . It is likely where we get our word topography - the study of land or places.  Topos can refer to a specific advantageous location, like a foot in the door or right placement of the foot on a mountain outcropping. Some would say this is being in the right place at the rig...

There is a song by Simon and Garfunkel entitled "The Sound of Silence". Some say it was written in the void left by the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. There are times when even with the best intentions of desiring to reach for the words to say to someone, we would be better served if our mouths stay shut. Then there are other instances where something said is totally appropriate and would drive the sheer awkwardness of silence away.  There is plenty in Scripture to draw from on this topic. However, allow me to lift from three verses. The first is Proverbs 17:28 -  " Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues."   So here, we have somebody or a group of people that are known in the community as "fools" . The thought is one that is not written down but inferred by what is stated - if fools are wise enough to keep silent and discerning enough to hold their tongue, then how much more sho...

God is everywhere, at all times - omnipresent. However, as believers in Christ Jesus, God's Son, we can have a more intimate experience of God's manifest presence. The keys to God's manifest presence are thanksgiving and praise. My Pastor's son, Logan, taught recently on this subject and stated, "The password into His presence is 'Thank You'." Psalm 100:4 says, " Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name." This is a simple mindset, attitude and lifestyle we can adopt but often forget or neglect. God has blessed us with everything, now do we return to The Giver on a regular basis with thanks and entrust back into His hands what was already His? For many Christians this is a grateful lifestyle that is lived out daily. However, Lord help us to never be so consumed by ourselves, others, society, our culture or things that we revert back to what the Israelites did - they forgot yo...

As I age, I hear some people say, "I see your mom and dad in you more every day." This is a good thing for me because God blessed me with Godly parents that raised me in The Way I should go. However, that similarity in appearance, behavior, attitude, humor and faith is part history of my family, part environment I grew up in and part purposeful parenting/instruction I was given as a youth. As a Believer in Christ, after accepting Jesus' sacrifice for our redemption and restoration to Father God, I have to work at becoming more In His Likeness. The fact that Christians can be individuals and yet seek to be consumed by God's likeness is a wonderful mystery. The world would say - "Be all you can be. Be your own person. Be the best you, you can be." Some would go as far as to picture reliance on someone for their identity as weak. This depends on who you rely upon for your identity.  For the Christ Follower this is certainly not a sign of weakness. This i...

Ever said to someone, "You are such a joy!" or "You are such a joy to be around."? When Christmas time rolls around the song J o y To The World can be heard in many places. Although this a great song to promote joy, peace and happiness for the season, the lyrics portray a future time when this will be fulfilled with the rulership of Christ over the entire Earth. Until then all of us believers and non-believers must daily search and find joy to keep life worth while. The writer of Hebrews stated about Jesus' life outlook - "For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2)   Notice in counting the cost of enduring the cross, the joy, His joy on the other side was figured into the worth of the sacrifice. The Lord asks Christians to behave the same way through  James saying, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds...

Identity In Christ; Living In Christ Many things pull at us to claim our identity. Among some of these possessive things are our culture, environment, and self-perception. However, for those who are followers of Christ, our identity should have been metamorphosed into that of a Christ-like human. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” So, what are some of the identifying traits, markers or characteristics Christians should have by being in relationship with Christ? 1. In Christ – we are saved from a eternally, damned future. “Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” – Acts 2:38 2. In Christ – we have healing to distribute as well as to receive. “Then Peter said, ‘Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.’”...

Christ promised many wonderful things for His believers. However, Jesus also promised,  "In this world you will have trouble." (John 16:33)   The Christian's daily walk will have challenges from time to time, but it should not be a matter of major ups and downs. Our journey should not be dictated by great swings to the mountaintop one moment and then a trip to the valley of life the next. I know this is challenging to grasp when going through a situation. However, the rest of that statement from Jesus was -  "But take heart! I have overcome the world!"  So, my encouragement today is to Stay On His Mountaintop.  Here are some promises of God to remember - Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world. (1 John 4:4) The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead, dwells in you, the believer. (Romans 8:11) God will never leave you, nor forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5) You are seated together with Christ in Heavenly places. (Ephesians 2:6...

Growing up to this day I have been told - "You look like your Mama." I thanked them and we usually have conversations about family and move on. I have also had people say, "You look just like your Dad." I have thanked them and had similar family conversations after this statement.  The fact that I look like my parents is a good indicator I belong to them. If you hang around me long enough you will see I have the same kind of humor, mannerisms, values, speech and so forth that identify me as belonging to them and them to me. In a Christian's life, this mirroring should occur and be noticeable with our heavenly parent, Father God. A wonderful, observable indicator of looking and behaving like our Heavenly Dad is found in Galatians 5:22-23 .  Paul kinda pictures the Believer as a portable, variety, fruit tree. As we are walking out our faith journey with the Holy Spirit and in tune with the Word of God, the natural result is bearing all these different kin...

Have you ever felt or said - "There's nothing like......" (you fill in the rest of that thought). For me there are several things that qualify. Some of these things that "There is nothing like" are a good night's rest, chocolate chip cookies and milk, quality time with family and friends, singing, playing your favorite instrument or sport and enjoying your favorite meal.  Scripture speaks to this and says there is nothing like - finding the right words to say at the right time. Proverbs 15:23 is the actual verse and reads - " A person finds joy in giving an apt reply-- and how good is a timely word!" Also, The Bible deals with relationship as nothing like having. Relationship is what we were created, built and wired for, especially relationship with God. God is an abundant giver and has given us relationship with His Son, Jesus, which is enough, but even moreso others like immediate family, friends and for this husband - my wife. Thank Th...

Sacrifice is not how The Plan started out, but Sacrifice was soon to come after obedience had been violated. Humans had one rule to abide by in the beginning, then the Serpent, also known as the devil, came along and deceptively convinced Adam and Eve that God did not mean what He said. "And the Lord God commanded the man, 'You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.'” - Genesis 2:16-17 We had one rule to follow and could not get that right! Since then, our nature has been to set-up and follow our own rules and regulations on how to live life. I believe this is a big reason why God called a specific people out of all the nations, the Hebrews, and gave them an impossible Instruction Manuel to Life - The Law. In addition, the sacrificial system was established but not because God liked it, but because The Law had been given to follow. Samuel says, ...

Concerning ownership, in  Philippians 3:12 , Paul says,  " Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." You can tell some things about a person by what they choose to own materially. You get to see what they value as either important or special. Some items they may need in their daily function or something may be acquired that is just nice to have around the home. We are all owners of Things & Stuff, the question really becomes - Do the Things & Stuff own us? There are other Things & Stuff besides the material world to be concerned with owning or being owned by. Such additional considerations as attitude, word choice, fellowship choices and so forth are examples of non-material things to have control over or they have mastery over us. Paul gives us three great steps toward a great mindset on Ownership in this Philippians 3:12 reference.  Hum...

Matthew 11:29-30 "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Of all beings in existence, God has every right to be harsh and boastful. His yoke or plan for the lives of all under Him have every right to be hard and their burdens heavy. God does have a harsh side to Him, look at the judgments to come upon the world in the last days. God is boastful, read the Bible and you will see Him boasting of His Name - I Am - and His Son, Jesus, "This is my son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased." (Matt. 3:7) . God's harshness and boasting are Justified, He is Holy and Perfect in all His ways. However, Matthew paints another side of God for us - a gentle, humble farmer. Just like oxen who have a collar or yoke around their neck for a farmer's guidance in the field, so too Jesus applies this thought to His followers or disciples. "Take m...

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1) This verse and these pictures depict that at anytime in our lives, The Lord is a safe place to run to for anything - He understands. However, not only does Jesus merely understand, He has strength for us to endure the challenge(s) AND will be there to help at every moment along the way. His accessibility is instant because of the great price He paid with His life for our redemption.  There is no other person that restored our fallen relationship with Father God. Therefore, there is no other person we should pray to, through and in the name of than Christ Jesus.  " For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus," (1 Timothy 2:5) . The next move becomes ours -  " Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need....